ON WASTE KATHMANDU'S WAR - EMERGING CONTAMINANTS - WasteMINZ
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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE NZ
MARCH 2018 \ ISSUE 166 \ $ 9.00
KATHMANDU'S
WAR
ON
IS E-WASTE
ON THE
WASTE
GOVERNMENT EMERGING
AGENDA? CONTAMINANTS
MANAGING THE
EFFECTS
COUNCIL AND INDUSTRY CO-OPERATION \ 30 YEARS OF PROGRESS
WASTEMINZ MEMBERS
P L ATIN U M
AUCKLAND COUNCIL
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
GO L D SILVER
ADSTAFF PERSONNEL
3R GROUP adstaff.co.nz
3R.co.nz
AECOM
aecom.com
EARTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL
FOODSTUFFS NZ
earthcarenz.co.nz
foodstuffsnz.co.nz
GEOFABRICS NZ
ENVIRONZ geofabrics.co.nz
environz.co.nz
MANCO
manco.co.nz
INTERGROUP
OJI FIBRE SOLUTIONS
intergroup.co.nz
ojifs.com
OMARUNUI LANDFILL
O-I NEW ZEALAND hastingsdc.govt.nz
o-i.com
ONYX GROUP
onyxgroup.co.nz
SMART ENVIRONMENTAL PLASBACK
smartenvironmental.co.nz
plasback.co.nz
PROGRESSIVE ENTERPRISES
SULO (N.Z.) progressive.co.nz
sulo.co.nz
SCION RESEARCH
scionresearch.com
TONKIN + TAYLOR SIMS RECYCLING SOLUTIONS
tonkin.co.nz
apac.simsrecycling.com
STANTEC
VISY RECYCLING NZ mwhglobal.co.nz
visy.co.nz
THE PACKAGING FORUM
packagingforum.org.nz
WASTE MANAGEMENT NZ WASTENET SOUTHLAND
wastemanagement.co.nz wastenet.org.nz
2
ON THE COVER LOOKING FOR WASTE
IN THE WILDERNESS
20
12
KATHMANDU WAGES
WAR ON WASTE
Kathmandu’s sustainability lead
Ollie Milliner sets out steps they
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Paul Evans \ +64 9 476 7172 have taken to taken to reduce waste
paul@wasteminz.org.nz and invites retailers to collaborate
on an industry-wide approach.
MEMBERSHIP & FINANCE MANAGER
CJ Dooner \ +64 9 476 7162
cj@wasteminz.org.nz 16
COUNCIL AND INDUSTRY: NO
SECTOR GROUP CO-ORDINATOR
Jenny Marshall \ +64 9 476 7164
LONGER THEM AND US
jenny@wasteminz.org.nz Morrison Low senior consultants
Alice Grace and Sue Hamilton
ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR
explain how increased complexity in
Justine Robinson \ +64 9 476 7163
justine@wasteminz.org.nz waste management over 30 years
has increased council–industry co-
25
SECTOR PROJECTS MANAGER
operation.
Nic Quilty \ +64 9 476 7167
nic@wasteminz.org.nz
COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
20
E-WASTE ON THE AGENDA
LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE
Sarah van Boheemen \ +64 9 320 3415 Signs the new government sees
sarah@wasteminz.org.nz e-waste as a priority gives New
Zealand a chance to redeem its poor
EDITOR, REVOLVE
Kim Mundell \ +64 21 655 917 reputation in this area. eDay NZ Trust
wasteminz@gmail.com chair Laurence Zwimpfer reports.
SUB-EDITOR, REVOLVE
Julie O'Brien 25
wasteminz@gmail.com PROGRESS TOWARDS A
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
DESIGN, REVOLVE
Leanne Lassman \ +64 21 267 3885 AUT’s Dr Jeff Seadon outlines the
12
leanne@electrichedgehog.co.nz significant changes in the last 30
years.
T +64 9 476 7162
PO Box 305426, Triton Plaza
North Shore 0757
28
Unit 2, 5 Orbit Drive, Rosedale 0632 MANAGING EMERGING WE NOW PRODUCE
CONTAMINANTS
New Zealand
What can be done to address the
REGULAR
wasteminz.org.nz
effects of contaminants of emerging REGIONAL WASTE
WasteMINZ is the leading professional body concern? Environmental chemist AND RECYCLING
for waste management, resource recovery
and contaminated land management
Jonathan Caldwell discusses how we
should approach it.
SCORECARDS,
in New Zealand. We deliver value to our GIVING EVERY STORE
members through the shaping and sharing
of policy and the development of industry REGULARS A GREEN SCORE
good practice. 02 MEMBERS THAT HIGHLIGHTS
WasteMINZ publishes revolve magazine 04 FROM PAUL’S DESK THEIR DIVERSION
four times a year, it plays a vital role in
05 YOUR BOARD
ensuring our members are up-to-date
with the latest in industry news, policy and 07 NEWS BITES
RATE.
legislative changes as well as innovations
and advances.
11 MOVERS & SHAKERS
32 FROM THE REGIONS
ISSN 2324-5417 (Print)
ISSN 2324-5425 (Online) 34 SECTOR GROUPS
MARCH 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 3
FROM
PAUL'S DESK Paul Evans
CEO, WasteMINZ
Talk to me paul@wasteminz.org.nz
+64 9 476 7172
In November this year, WasteMINZ • Alice Grace and Sue Hamilton This is our 30th
will be hosting our 30th annual look at the huge advances in the
conference, and we
conference, quite the milestone! procurement of services (see
only have another
Obviously much has changed in pages 16-18)
that time; our industry has come a
30 conferences until
• Jeff Seadon explores the massive
very long way. Granted, we still have changes in our legislative and
we hit 2050. Time
some distance to travel in our quest regulatory frameworks (see moves quickly, so we
towards a more circular economy. pages 25-27) must swiftly move
However, it’s important that we
• And, for an overview of our key down the path to a
acknowledge the progress made,
member events for the year, circular economy.
the people who have enabled it and
please see page 19. I encourage you to
the significant learnings we have
garnered along the way.
The celebrations will culminate carefully consider
With this in mind, we will
at our conference in Christchurch the role that you and
in November, where we will look
be using the whole of 2018 to your organisation can
forward another three decades to
celebrate 30 years of progress in play in accelerating
the year 2050. By 2050, binding
our sector. We’ll do this through
legislation will require Aotearoa to
this change.
articles in this magazine, webinars,
have reached net zero greenhouse- Block out 5–8 November in your
videos and member events
gas emissions. diary now. I look forward to seeing
throughout the country.
If our great country is going to you in Christchurch as we chart the
For example, in this edition
hit this audacious target, we can’t next 30 years for this great sector
of Revolve we have the following
do it by fiddling around the edges; and this great organisation.
articles:
our sector must play a significant
• Simonne Eldridge reflects on her
part. We must drastically transform
time with WasteMINZ and the
the way we do things, from a linear
waste minimisation challenges
take, make and dispose system to
right in front of us
one that focuses on sustainable
materials management.
5 - 8 N OV EMB ER | CH R I S TCH U RC H
4
YOUR
BOARD Simonne Eldridge
WasteMINZ Board
seldridge@tonkin.nz
HOW TO
This year we will have our 30th Through WasteMINZ we are in a CONTACT
WasteMINZ conference. Although
I was not there in the beginning,
unique position in which we can help
the government by providing the
YOUR BOARD
I have witnessed significant information we have in a format that MEMBERS
developments in the 13 years I have can be used. We are a diverse group,
been involved. The conversations and we will never unanimously agree
have moved from bottom-of- on the path forward, but I know that
the-cliff solutions to how to we all want to make a difference
avoid the waste in the first place. to NZ Inc, and, importantly, the
Circular economy discussions have environment.
reinvigorated the debate around Having said that, we have
the importance of good waste- challenges with our effects-based
minimisation and management legislative framework. Although it
practices. I am excited by what will has significant benefits and provides
come next! freedom to assess the true impact
The Associate Minister for of a particular activity, it can open
the Environment, Eugenie Sage, the door for technical, planning and
has stated in her press release legal arguments that compromise
of 19 January that “Significantly environmental protection. I’m sure
reducing waste going to landfill we are all aware of the “rent an
by 2020 is a key goal of the Green expert” concept which, although
Party’s confidence and supply not restricted to an effects-based
agreement with Labour and is framework, can result in an outcome
a priority for me as Associate that doesn’t deliver what it promises.
Environment Minister”. Also, regionalisation of waste
This is great news, but management facilities has resulted left-to-right top, middle, bottom
unfortunately, the press release goes in some older facilities ceasing Darren Patterson CHAIR
darren@pattersonenvironmental.co.nz
on to suggest that the next step is a operation and being replaced with
data-gathering exercise. Although larger facilities. As a result, we have Roderick Boys
Roderick.Boys@wcc.govt.nz
I agree that good data is important, legacy challenges as the effects of
Grahame Christian
2020 is only just around the corner, the closed sites continue as the gift
grahamec@smartenvironmental.co.nz
and there is a significant amount that keeps on giving, with much
Simonne Eldridge DEPUT Y CHAIR
of infrastructure that central and effort required to manage ongoing
seldridge@tonkin.co.nz
local government and industry will effects for communities.
Wayne Plummer
need to provide if we are truly to All in all, I am excited by what lies wayne.plummer@environz.co.nz
impact on waste to landfill in that ahead and what we can achieve as a Ian Stupple
timeframe. We need to get going! well-coordinated collective. Ian.Stupple@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
MARCH 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 5
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NEWS BITES
Farming's dirty 1,000 tonnes of Wasted food
secret PET in NZ a culprit in
Regional councils suspect Flight Plastics have recently bought
greenhouse gas
thousands of tonnes of
and re-processed their 1,000th emissions
tonne of PET in New Zealand. It's
Rotting food has been fingered
contaminated waste are great to see local processing options
for its huge role in causing climate
being buried on farms like this developing, as a path to a
change. New Zealand alone throws
more circular economy.
every year — but there's away 122,000 tonnes of food a year
Summary video: bit.ly/FlightPlastics — which oozes greenhouse gases
little they can do about it.
as it rots. But new research shows
Most of the dumping takes
place on private land, and
UK could adopt globally, the situation is even worse.
councils are left relying on
Norway bottle Small groups of people are chipping
away at the problem, but climate
whistleblowers to dob in
recycling system campaigners say far more is needed.
A Scandinavian deposit-based Listen to the interview here:
any illegal activity.
system for recycling bottles is bit.ly/FoodWasteInterview
Read more here: thought likely to be adopted in the
bit.ly/RuralWasteNZ UK. Advisers to government say the
schemes have massively reduced
Contaminated
plastic litter in the environment and
drinking water
seas. And a ministerial delegation found near air
has been to Norway to see if the UK force bases
should copy an industry-led scheme
Blenheim's town water supply is to
that recycles 97 per cent of bottles.
be regularly tested for chemicals
Watch here: bit.ly/CDSNorway found in a banned firefighting foam
MARCH 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 7
WELCOME
TO OUR NEW
MEMBERS
over concerns they could show up
in years to come. The decision to
Food in the nude SMALL BUSINESS
regularly test for the chemicals The South Island New World team
IPCA
PFOS and PFOA comes as 22 private is doing their bit to reduce the
Ridge Rd Quarry
wells test positive at properties plastic customers take home from
downstream from Base Woodbourne the produce department — and GCM Enviro
on the Wairau Aquifer. they’re having a bit of fun while Supertyre
they’re doing it. Starting out with Keep Auckland Beautiful Trust
Emerging contaminant concern:
the dedicated team at New World
bit.ly/FoamFallout Ceres New Zealand
Bishopdale, customers are now able
ECOgreen Solutions
to purchase fresh, delicious fruit and
Plastic straws vegetables, nude. Well kind of. Callaghan Innovation
illegal unless Read all about it:
Metallic Sweeping (1998)
requested under bit.ly/FoodInTheNude Loadsense
California bill Focus Environmental Services
A bill proposed in California would
Storm unearths General Recycle
make it illegal for restaurant servers old tip INDIVIDUAL
to give guests plastic straws unless AJ Woodhouse
Gale-force winds have exposed
requested — with the threat of a Renate Schutte
part of an old rubbish dump closed
$1,000 fine or jail time attached.
more than 20 years ago and blown Sarah Pritchett
Watch the video: "massive" amounts of plastic across
Philippe Dumont
bit.ly/ByeByeStraws a West Coast beach.
Hans Buwalda
Increasing climate risk:
David Sinclair
bit.ly/WestCoastDump
Warren Snow
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adstaff.co.nz staffing towards successMOVERS & SHAKERS
CHRIS GREGORY JONATHAN SHAMROCK JAY HADFIELD
Chris has joined Kaikoura District Tonkin + Taylor is delighted Jay Hadfield joined the Ministry
Council as its assets manager, to welcome senior civil and for the Environment in March
moving from a previous role as environmental engineer 2017 and has been managing
Christchurch City head of transport. Jonathan Shamrock, who brings projects supported by the Waste
Chris brings over 30 years of local 20 years’ experience in South Minimisation Fund since August
government experience across Africa’s waste sector. His vast 2017. With a degree in Performing
all the major service delivery knowledge of hazardous and Arts (Management), and experience
disciplines. As well as responsibility industrial waste disposal facilities both in parliament and service
for day-to-day management of will be an asset to the T+T tourism, Jay brings a range of
Council's infrastructure services and environmental engineering team. experience to the role.
facilities, Chris will be implementing Jay can be contacted at
a robust asset-management system jay.hadfield@mfe.govt.nz.
and processes in the wake of the
2016 earthquake.
Chris can be contacted at
chris.gregory@kaikoura.govt.nz.
JAMES BLACKWELL
James joined 4Sight Consulting
as a senior land and water quality
consultant in July 2017 and is CHRIS HENDERSON
primarily based in Wellington. Prior Chris was appointed as group
to this, James worked for Edge manager of the DCC Waste and
SOPHIE MANDER Group in Melbourne, Australia. Environmental Solutions Group
After 11 years working in waste James is an environmental in August 2017. He was previously
minimisation and community consultant specialising in plant operations and maintenance
sustainability in Central Otago, contaminated land assessment and manager in the DCC Three Waters
Sophie Mander took some time remediation, with a keen technical Group. For the next 12 months, he
out to travel in Europe and South focus on groundwater and soil will be focused on the region’s waste
America. In March she will launch vapour issues gained from over assessment and development of a
back into work across the border at 12 years’ experience in Australia, new WMMP, with the longer-term
Queenstown Lakes District Council. New Zealand and the UK. James is goal of designing and implementing
Sophie will be joining the team at passionate about realising the value a new waste management system
QLDC in her new role of senior waste and potential of contaminated for the Dunedin region.
minimisation planner. She will kick land, in addition to changing the Chris can be contacted at
off with the consultation process for way environmental consultants chris.henderson@dcc.govt.nz.
the new WMMP, and then get stuck approach projects to improve
into solutions for glass, biosolids and efficiencies and reduce wastage.
organics. She can be contacted at James sits on the Wellington branch
sophie.mander@qldc.govt.nz committee for ALGA, and can be
contacted at jamesb@4sight.co.nz.
MARCH 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 11KATHMANDU'S
WAR ON becoming a central concept for
WASTE
most industries, albeit more slowly
E
than many of us would like. This
VERY TIME I meet someone provides an enormous opportunity
new and introduce myself for sustainability managers, as we
as a sustainability lead look to the future, and I’m proud
for a listed international to say that Kathmandu is firmly
brand, I get the same reaction: “But committed to this path.
aren’t you also contributing to the Sustainability is, of course, a
Kathmandu’s problem?” broad concept, so for the purposes
I fully understand this, and on
sustainability lead the surface, we are all aware that
of this article, I will concentrate on
Kathmandu’s war on waste. And
Ollie Milliner details a business will continue to have there’s plenty to wage war on across
Kathmandu’s environmental and social impacts. our 165 stores, two distribution
However, the landscape of business
approach and is changing, and we are seeing
centres, two offices and 1900-plus
staff.
invites his retail sustainability become core to future
competitors to plans across industries. Collaboration is key
collaborate in a What keeps me optimistic
I find it amazing how limited the
are the views of people such as
war on waste. Joanne Redeke from the Centre for
conversation is in the retail-waste
space. Most retailers produce similar
Sustainable Business at ESMT Berlin,
types of waste, a lot of which gets
who predicts that sustainability
landfilled and is a waste of both
managers will, in fact, lead the
money and resources. Honestly, it is
fourth industrial revolution. As the
utterly perplexing.
machine of business continues
and grows, sustainability is now
12and knows what the challenges
are, so that solutions can be clearly
integrated into individual strategies.
Kathmandu is incredibly lucky to be massive waste streams generated as
There is huge opportunity for part of this platform; it has helped a result of our mass consumerism.
these successes and failures to be us to be crystal clear on where we He touched on a range of areas
shared in our sector in New Zealand, need to go. and uncovered some very important
we'd like to see more open books In New Zealand, I believe that matters, issues that really resonated
with the waste issue. industry-wide collaboration will with consumers and created
The United Nations certainly most certainly yield bigger and customer urgency. Disposable coffee
believes collaboration is important, better results, helping us to solve cups were a great example of this.
with its Sustainable Development common problems. So that’s why we But if he had dug a little deeper into
Goal 17 focusing on the value want to be open about our war on the multifaceted waste streams
of partnerships. I also think waste. of clothing retail, he would have
partnerships are at the heart discovered another massive waste
of improvement in waste and Customers create problem that remains out of sight of
sustainability. urgency our customers.
In countries such as the United
States, collaboration is everywhere,
Some of you may have watched From A to B
Australia’s ABC TV series War on
and it’s hugely effective. In our Getting product from one side of
Waste last year. I found it an absolute
sector, the Sustainable Apparel the world to the other requires a lot
breath of fresh air among popular TV
Coalition works in collaboration with of single-use transport packaging
programmes. In the show, comedian
the Outdoor Industry Association that is disposed of in stockrooms,
Craig Reucassel investigated the
to share tools and resources away from the watchful eyes of
among their members. Everyone passionate consumers. Cardboard,
appears to be on the same page paper and low-density polyethylene
MARCH 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 13Thinking strategically As such, we completed a
Last year, after a significant amount comprehensive programme of waste
of work, we set out our waste and audits; these helped us determine
make up approximately 80–90 per recycling strategy. We split this into what the main waste materials were.
cent of our store waste. Fortunately, three separate phases, which were: We then undertook waste surveys
our stores all produce largely the • understanding our waste and across our entire store network to
same waste, so it’s clear what we are infrastructure understand the practices used and
dealing with if we are going to make how each store was performing.
• implementing the right solutions
a difference. As a result of this, we now produce
• education and raising awareness.
However, I am sorry to say that regular regional waste and recycling
a lot of retailers are throwing these scorecards, giving every store a
Understanding our
easily recyclable materials into Green Score that highlights their
general waste. It’s crazy, especially
waste & infrastructure diversion rate.
when the solutions are so simple. You can’t change what you don’t
For example, we found that one measure. With our vast brick-and- Implementation
of our stores wasn’t recycling soft mortar network, understanding Implementing everything we’ve
plastics. We contacted our waste- what we produce, how we manage learned into clear processes to
service provider, and they quickly the waste, and the infrastructure achieve the desired results is critical.
dropped off a 660-litre wheelie required to support effective I’ve always been told that with
bin for this material. Such a simple recycling was paramount for any a project, 80 per cent of your time
solution! change to take place. should go into planning and only
the last 20 per cent in execution.
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SUPERTYRE.CO.NZThis was pretty accurate in our case,
as at this stage we were equipping
on being open, positive and clear
ourselves with all the material,
to our staff on what the challenges
resources and people power needed
are and what role we need them to
to get the desired results. It is still
play. Some of you may disagree, but
early days, but, as an example, over
in my experience, the vast majority
the past year we have implemented
of people do actually care about
soft plastics recycling into an
looking after our environment and
additional 10 stores, resulting in a
want to do the right thing. However,
recycling rate of 89 per cent across
poor communication and the
New Zealand and 59 per cent in
resulting confusion can be an issue.
Australia.
Where to from here
Education and
raising awareness At Kathmandu, we are committed
Ollie Milliner is based at the Kathmandu
to waging war on waste, but we
Communication has also been Christchurch office overseeing their
would like to see the whole of New sustainability programme. His main focus
critical for us. We are the culprits for
Zealand’s apparel and the broader is Kathmandu’s sustainability plan, annual
generating the waste, so, we have report and carbon and waste programme
retail sector follow suit. We are not
as well as marketing and communications
taken the approach that we should
going to fix the problems in isolation for these.
also be the solution. We need our
while trying to gain higher ground
staff to engage with the programme
over our competitors; we must
and use the infrastructure properly.
collaborate and work together to get
I cannot emphasise enough
the results that I think deep down
how important this element
we all want. So, my retail colleagues,
has been. We’ve all come across
get in touch, and let’s wage a war on
communication on waste reduction
waste together.
that is either boring, patronising or
green-washing. So, we have focused
BJ Scarlett are a one stop We manufacture waste We have successfully
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Call us today 03 688 2900 www.scarlett.co.nzIT'S NO
LONGER
THEM
AND US!
Alice Grace and Sue
Hamilton, senior
consultants at Morrison
Low, track the changes in
the relationship between
councils and the waste
management sector over
the past 30 years.
16early adopter of kerbside recycling
T
because up until then the waste
HE RELATIONSHIP between manager believed that recycling was
councils and the waste “the long trip to the tip”. In the early
industry has changed 1990s, waste was not a woman’s
significantly in the past 30 world. Sue’s male predecessor had
destroyed all contract files before and recycling needs of individual
years. Things were much simpler
she arrived and the men on the households. Councils began to
back then: there was no recycling
trucks were rough and tough (on the encourage investment in resource
and no wheelie bins, let alone
outside anyway). recovery facilities to support their
resource recovery parks and food
Alice started at Wellington collection services.
waste collections. It was all about
rubbish, litter and street cleaning. Girls College in 1990, and her form
Knock-on effects
This was core council business and teacher introduced paper recycling
to the school that year, a first in
for councils
one of the largest budget items.
Council specified what services New Zealand. Alice’s form class With higher levels of service
would be delivered and sought the was regularly instructed to climb come increased costs. In the past,
cheapest price from the market. into the paper skip bin to remove rubbish collection was funded
Thirty years later, the landscape contamination — glad wrap and solely by rates. However, changes
looks quite different. Waste services apple cores. over the years now mean that
are more complex, councils are one For both of us, our experiences services may be funded by rates,
of many suppliers of waste services from that time have sparked long user charges, waste levy funds,
to their communities, and the way careers in an industry we love. grants, sponsorship, revenue
services are procured, managed and sharing (between the contractor
delivered has had to adapt.
Legislation driver and council) or contractor funds
With the enactment of the Waste (such as for wheelie bins or recovery
Our waste journeys Minimisation Act in 2008, waste facilities).
Before looking at the changes in the management and minimisation Council waste by-law provisions
industry, we thought we would share planning became a legislative were once focused on regulating
our own journeys. In the early 1990s, requirement, providing councils with waste collection and disposal but
we were both starting out in waste. high-level direction not previously have now increased to support
Sue joined Manukau City Council’s seen. Procurement processes councils’ policy objectives.
waste team at that time, and in became the opportunity to realise Provisions focus on waste operator
1996 kerbside recycling collection waste diversion targets. Councils licensing, data provision, driving
services commenced in Manukau started to plan well in advance and waste diversion and support for
City. The council had not been an increased their understanding of achieving waste minimisation
industry trends and best practice. A targets.
menu of collection service options
could be offered to suit the refuse
MARCH 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 17Plant and resources therefore requiring more time Councils now contract with
for procurement processes to be both private waste companies and
Thirty years ago, all you needed
completed. social enterprise organisations.
was a truck and some fit runners
Other key areas where contracts Increasingly we are seeing
to collect the rubbish bags and
have matured are health and collaboration between the medium-
deliver them to the tip. Today’s waste
safety requirements, and joint to large-sized waste companies
facilities are complex, multi-purpose
performance assessment and and the community sector. These
sites with engineered controls to
improvement. Health and safety innovative arrangements, often
protect against environmental
systems are evaluated in tenders, introduced by councils in the first
impacts. Trucks come in all shapes
and minimum standards are instance, bring together the energy
and sizes, with vehicles purpose built
generally a prerequisite. There is also and enthusiasm of the community
to suit the material collected and the
more robust ongoing assessment sector with the management,
terrain they traverse. And it appears
of health and safety performance experience and financial capability of
that the industry is about to go
during the contract term. the waste industry, giving customers
through another revolution with the
Governance arrangements can the benefit of both worlds. It is
emergence of electric vehicles and
be shared by the parties to ensure likely that more councils will be
the advantages they offer in terms
regular assessment of performance seeking these community-industry
of noise reduction and running costs,
and continual improvement and partnerships.
as well as their low carbon footprint.
innovation of work practices and
technology. The future
Contract maturity
The industry continues to evolve
The complexity in council waste Working together rapidly. Even five years from now
services has led to the need for more
Engagement with contractors on the changes outlined here will seem
complex contract arrangements.
the best way to deliver services is like normal practice, and in 30 years
The nature of these contracts varies
now common, as it leads to better many will seem outdated. Perhaps
widely across the country to suit
outcomes that match contractor we will look back and wonder why
local needs. There can be contracts
capability with council aspirations. we ever thought there were a “them”
for collection services, design and
This happens both before and an “us”.
build of new facilities, site leases
procurement and during contracts,
and joint governance agreements
when the introduction of new
(particularly for regional facilities).
services is often negotiated mid-
These are reflective of the more
contract.
collaborative delivery arrangements
Councils are giving more
that exist today to harness the
consideration to the whole of the
strengths of both the public and
market service offering. Commercial
private sector.
services and council services are Alice Grace and Sue Hamilton are senior
Thirty years ago, tender
more complementary than 30 years consultants at Morrison Low, management
evaluation was focused on the consultants that specialise in local and
ago. Both councils and private waste
central government. Morrison Low’s
lowest price. Over time, more formal
companies are benefiting from the services include strategy development,
processes were introduced, modelled process analysis and operational
economies of scale and efficiency
on national roading procurement. improvement services. In the waste area,
that come from the sharing of they support clients with the development
These provided tenderers with more
collection plant (e.g., same truck of strategic plans (including WMMPs) and
information about what councils business cases, undertake service delivery
for public and private services)
reviews and procurement, and provide
were seeking and led to more
and infrastructure (e.g., recycling subject matter expertise.
equitable tender evaluation. Due to
facilities that process both council
the number of service options made
and commercial materials).
available to customers, contract
price schedules have become more
complex to price and evaluate,
18In 2018 we will celebrate C40 CITIES - TRANSITIONING FROM WASTE
WasteMINZ’s 30th annual MANAGEMENT TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY
conference, a significant occasion Thursday 12 April 2018 \ 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Auckland
for our organisation. In the lead-
Event will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend
up, we want to reflect on how far
we’ve come over the last 30 years, BETTER PARTNERSHIPS FOR BETTER WASTE
the progress we’ve made and the AND RECYCLING OUTCOMES
people who have enabled it. Thursday 7 June 2018 \ 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Te Whare Waka o Poneke
We also want to look to the future, Event will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend
in particular, 2050, by which
time we need to achieve net zero LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP
Thursday 30 August 2018 \ 5.00pm to 7.00pm
greenhouse gas emissions.
Otago Museum
If Aotearoa is to hit this audacious Event will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend
target, our sector must play a
WASTEMINZ 30TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE –
significant part. We must drastically
TARGET 2050
transform the way we do things. Monday 5 to Thursday 8 November 2018
With this in mind, we are hosting Airforce Museum of New Zealand, Christchurch
a series of member events
throughout the country to explore
We will be releasing more information as the
what the future might look like and
year progresses, but for now, diary these dates.
who needs to be involved if we are
And keep up to date will all our events at
to be successful.
bit.ly/WasteMINZEventsE-WASTE
A PRIORITY ISSUE AT LAST!
eDay New Zealand Trust chair Laurence Zwimpfer
describes New Zealand’s poor history of managing
e-waste and looks to a brighter future.
T
HE ANNOUNCEMENT by The report estimated that New Environment by Computer Access
Associate Environment Zealanders generate over 20 New Zealand, the predecessor to
Minister Eugenie Sage on kilograms of e-waste per person the eDay Trust.4 At that time, it was
21 January 2018 that she each year.3 While some other estimated that there were 16 million
recognises e-waste as a priority countries have slightly higher per computers and TV sets that would
issue is the final step in a decade- capita volumes, this is mitigated by be reaching their end of life within
long journey to bring New Zealand the existence of national e-waste five years, and a further one million
in line with other developed nations collection and recycling schemes. new digital devices were being sold
with sustainable recycling schemes For example, Europe leads the world, each year. Concerns were highlighted
for electronic waste. 1 achieving a 49 per cent recycling rate about the negative environmental
New Zealand received a wake- for e-waste in 2016 compared to and health impacts on uncontained
up call in December 2017 when the New Zealand’s official collection rate e-waste materials such as plastics,
country was named and shamed of zero per cent. lead, barium, beryllium, cadmium,
in a UN-backed report as a nation hexavalent chromium, selenium,
that not only generates among
What is the e-waste mercury and arsenic. The solution
the highest volumes of e-waste in
problem? to this problem, adopted by every
the world but also has the lowest Electronic waste was first other developed country, lies with
documented rates for recycling. 2
highlighted as a growing problem industry-led product stewardship
for New Zealand in 2006 in a report schemes with regulatory support
prepared for the Ministry for the from governments.
20we have really dropped the ball, as
What is e-waste the UN report points out. What we The government has supported
product stewardship? need is a permanent and sustainable a number of short-term e-waste
solution, and this now needs some collection and recycling initiatives.
Producers and importers of
urgent action by government. These have included the annual eDay
electronic equipment are
computer collection events from
responsible for taking back and Legislative framework 2006 to 2010,7 the RCN e-Cycle
recycling equipment when it reaches enacted in 2008 scheme from 2010 to 2014 and
its end of life. In effect, a small levy
Ten years ago, the government the TV Takeback programme from
is added to the price of all electronic
legislated a framework for product 2012-2014. Together, these activities
equipment at the point of sale, and
stewardship schemes as part of the over 10 years have diverted around
this levy is then held by an industry-
Waste Minimisation Act 2008, but 800,000 electronic devices from
managed organisation to fund
since then has failed to progress any landfills at a cost to the government
the costs of responsible recycling.
sustainable scheme for consumer of around $20 million (or $25 per
Electronic equipment suppliers in
e-waste. The one exception has been device). But during the same 10
New Zealand have repeatedly made
for mobile phones. Spark, Vodafone years, an estimated 10 million new
it clear to government that they will
and 2degrees joined together for computers and TVs were sold in
only do this if regulations are put
the RE:mobile product stewardship New Zealand.
in place to ensure compliance by
scheme; these companies accept None of these initiatives has
all suppliers, thereby avoiding the
unwanted mobile phones at their resulted in a long-term sustainable
problem of free-riders.5,6
retail stores and then arrange for solution; meanwhile, the volumes of
Since 2006, the eDay Trust has
the phones to be refurbished or new electronic equipment continue
advocated for a sector-wide product
recycled. The scheme is so successful to expand at 10 times the rate of
stewardship scheme for all e-waste
that profits from the sale of current recycling efforts.
to be put in place. This is now
equipment are helping to support
operational in all OECD countries
Sustainable Coastlines, an NGO
except New Zealand. As a country,
promoting clean water.
MARCH 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 21Consumer support for New Zealand. It is also encouraging It is important that these three
product stewardship that the WasteMINZ Territorial goals are tackled in the above order;
Authority Forum has supported some have suggested that simply
Research carried out by UMR
the establishment of mandatory banning e-waste in landfills will
Research, NZIER and the Wellington
product stewardship schemes for solve the problem, but this leads
Waste Forum over the past 10 years
e-waste as part of their Waste to fly-tipping or illegal dumping on
has consistently shown consumer
Management Manifesto. 8
roadsides and other public spaces.10
support for a scheme where the cost
Similarly, the previous government
of recycling is built into the purchase Three goals for attempted to tackle the problem
price of new equipment. In 2016,
e-waste by supporting the establishment
research by the Wellington Waste
In an e-waste manifesto, the eDay of local collection points, but these
Forum (a collaborative initiative of
Trust has suggested three goals for proved unsustainable, and the
local authorities in the lower North
addressing the e-waste problem: company setting them up went
Island), revealed that 63 per cent of
out of business.11 The first goal
New Zealanders would be happy to 1. All suppliers of electronic
is the most important and must
pay as much as $30 extra for new equipment (producers and
come first, as this provides the
electronic equipment if there was an importers) contribute to
necessary revenue stream to sustain
assurance the equipment would be an industry-led product
well-managed e-waste recycling
recycled responsibly at end of life. stewardship scheme no later
businesses.
So, given this consumer than 30 June 2020.
preference and the high cost to 2. Consumers are able to easily What now?
government of supporting short- dispose of end-of-life electronic
The next step is up to the Minister. A
term recycling initiatives, Sage’s equipment at no cost.
remit to the 2013 LGNZ Conference
announcement is a welcome step
3. All electronic equipment is provided the roadmap. It called on
forward in creating a permanent
banned from landfills.9 the Minister to:
and sustainable e-waste solution for
TM• declare electronic waste
References
(e-waste) a priority product
1. Pullar-Strecker, T. E-waste a ‘priority 9. eDay Trust. eWaste Manifesto, September
under the provisions of the
issue’ promises associate Environment 2017. eday.org.nz/news-and-resources/
Waste Minimisation Act (2008) Minister Eugenie Sage. Stuff, 21 January media/176-ewaste-manifesto.html
• set a timetable for the 2018 10. Hansford D. Waste Not Want Not. New
2. Balde CP, Forti V, Gray V, Kuehr T, Zealand Geographic, 134, Jul–Aug 2015
development of regulations
Stegmann P. The Global E-waste Monitor 11. Nippert M. Fraudster’s ties to failed
requiring all importers of
– 2017. United Nations University, waste firm. Sunday Star Times, 17 August
electronic equipment to sign up International Telecommunication Union 2014
to a product stewardship scheme & International Solid Waste Association,
12. Cr Paul Bruce, with support from seven
Bonn/Geneva/Vienna, 2017
for e-waste at the point of councils in the greater Wellington area,
3. A report by SLR estimated 19kg of presented an e-waste remit to the
manufacture, assembly or entry
e-waste per head of population, growing 2013 LGNZ Conference. The remit was
to New Zealand to 27kg per head by the year 2030, adopted unanimously.
• collaborate with suppliers E-waste Product Stewardship Framework
for New Zealand, June 2015
of electronic equipment in
4. CANZ. e-Waste in New Zealand: Taking
progressing a co-regulatory
responsibility for end-of-life computers
approach to product and TVs. July 2006
stewardship, aligned with 5. Pullar-Strecker T. Rethink urged on
Australia.12 e-waste. The Dominion Post, July 2009
6. $30 levy on TVs is price for e-waste. The
Now that we have the support of
Dominion Post. January 2009
the Minister, we need to make sure Laurence Zwimpfer chairs the eDay New
7. eDay Trust. eWaste in New Zealand: Five Zealand Trust, which was set up in 2010 to
that she has the ongoing backing Years On. June 2011 promote product stewardship solutions for
of electronics suppliers, the waste 8. TA Forum. Local Government Waste
electronic waste. Laurence managed the
national eDay computer waste collection
industry, local authorities and the Management Manifesto. WasteMINZ,
events from 2006 to 2010 and is a tireless
public to address this issue with January 2018 advocate for e-waste product stewardship.
urgency.
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30 YEARS OF
PROGRESS
AU
T h ow
sen ks
ior a c
rese
a do n tr s
was rch fellow Dr Jeff Sea move y.
te leg d m
islation has enable econo
towards a more circular
W
While early measures to control
HILE MANY will municipal solid waste were already
lament the 40 in place through the Health Act 1956
per cent increase of cleaner production, I approached and the Local Government Act 1974,
in waste going to the principal and suggested a which recognised that waste was a
landfill since the Waste Minimisation programme that would get rid of the health issue and local government
Act (WMA) came into force,1 it is a need to burn. He agreed, as long as had a responsibility to manage
good time to reflect on what things it didn’t cost anything, took no time it, there were no requirements
were like 30 years ago and the on the part of anyone in the school on how to manage it under the
significant change that legislation and no one had to change what Town & Country Planning Act 1977.
has brought about in this time. they were doing. I passed on the Furthermore, the restructuring
In 1989 I was living next to a ‘opportunity’. Similarly, on weekends, of local government by the Local
primary school that announced my neighbours would light up their Government Amendment Act
3pm by burning the day’s rubbish. If backyard 200-litre drums producing (No 2) 1989 removed the role of
my washing was not off the line by columns of black smoke, once again regional councils in waste planning,
then, the black speckles would mean to the detriment of my washing. My, something they had been able to
a certain rewash. A few years later, how things have changed! coordinate previously on a regional
after I had discovered the wonders basis.
MARCH 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 25Shift to outcomes-
based approach
Disasters in the 1980s, like Bhopal
(1984), Chernobyl (1986) and Exxon
Valdez (1989) focused the world’s
attention on health, safety and the environmental standards for air
environment. This was reflected in quality in 2004, hastened the end of
New Zealand by the work that led small landfills, leaving us with 43 —
up to the Resource Management and declining — nationally.
Act (RMA) 1991. A major change in The 1990s was also a time when
thinking came with the RMA from the newly restructured councils were
being prescriptive, as in the previous reinventing recycling and cashing in
Town and Country Planning Acts, to on the short-term benefits of selling
an outcomes-based approach. Most off waste services to the private
of the future Acts of Parliament sector, which has now resulted in the
listed below were also outcomes long-term loss of control of waste in
based. their territories.
The difficulty in implementing
Culture change
these Acts arose when the
government did not allocate Hard on the heels of the RMA
was the Health and Safety Act in
Gas wells
funding for upskilling planners,
which resulted in them retreating to Employment 1992, which took
the safety of prescriptive rules (such the focus of waste away from just
as house colours in Queenstown) the health effects of pathogens
• Installation of and subsequent anger from and brought it on to the health
large diameter gas businesses at the perceived hurdles and safety of those working in the
drainage wells put in front of development. As industry. The culture change in the
Marian Hobbs noted when she was industry because of this Act has
• Environmental
Minister for the Environment, “The been dramatic and has been further
drilling for
enhanced by the Health and Safety
piezometers and RMA is a beautifully crafted Act that
monitoring wells no one understands”. at Work Act 2015.
One of the major effects of Two measures in 1996 completed
• Consultation for the RMA was the necessity for the groundwork to enable New
well design the assessment of environmental Zealand to start the move to
effects as a precursor to issuing a more circular economy: the
resource consents that permitted Hazardous Substances and New
discharges to the environment. Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 and
This Act signalled the end of the Local Government Amendment
dumps and the new era of sanitary Act (No. 4). HSNO replaced the
landfills. The RMA also provided the outdated prescriptive Dangerous
conditions for the Ministry for the Goods Act 1974 with an Act that
Environment publication Guide to tried to provide resilience in this
Landfill Consent Conditions in 2001, rapidly changing area. The Local
which, along with the emissions Government Amendment Act
trading scheme charges resulting introduced development of waste
Past Projects have included: from the Climate Change Response management plans for local
Methane Gas Drainage for AB Limes Act 2002 and the national authorities as well as defining the
Drilling of 3 x 17 metre deep holes and installation of gravel
packed 150mm slotted PVC in 2.5 weeks. New Zealand waste management
Methane Gas Supply for Christchurch City Council hierarchy.
Installation of 13 gas drainage wells, a total of 300 lineal
metres drilled over 7 weeks.
0800 483 926
26rather than just the manufacturer
or importer. In many cases, this
New Zealand continued to mindset has yet to sink in.
The real potential
respond to international drivers. for the Act to
The government was under fire
Increased funding and lead to a circular
provisions for action
internationally for how it was economy is yet to
responding to the new climate
change crisis in the mid-2000s, and,
The WMA opened up a whole
new era with funding for waste
be revealed! One
at home, three Auckland councils minimisation — roughly $30 million thing is for sure:
failed in court to institute a local per annum as opposed to $500,000 the next 30 years
levy to fund waste minimisation
programmes. The response to
from the sustainable management
will see even more
fund and whatever council officers
this was the “Sustainability Six- could scrape from their meagre
change.
Pack” in 2007, in which the Waste budgets. In addition, actual disposal
Minimisation Bill in Nándor quantities, rather than guestimates,
Tánczos’s name was adopted by the are recorded for a select number of References
Labour Government as the vehicle landfills — resulting in an initial 25 1. bit.ly/MFE-WasteLevyGraph
for the current Act. per cent drop in quantities reported 2. bit.ly/UNEP-pubs
There is little remaining from and audited on — some of which was 3. bit.ly/UNEP-GlobalOutlook
the original bill in the current Act, presumably diverted to other types
but a number of the ideas carried of disposal. Further sections in the
through. The Act was a first, in that Act provided for the Waste Advisory
a private member’s bill was adopted Board, which different ministers
by the government, and the Ministry have either sought advice from or
for the Environment had to take on used to fulfil the bare minimum
an enforcement role. The legislation requirements.
brought New Zealand up to the The WMA has all the provisions
world best practice, as can be seen necessary to allow ministers to act. Dr Jeff Seadon works at AUT. While at the
Ministry for the Environment, he managed
in the UN Guidelines for Framework With climate change on the agenda the parliamentary process that resulted
Legislation for Integrated Waste and worldwide waste issues gaining in the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. More
Management,2 where our legislation recently, Jeff has developed guidelines for
prominence, as shown in the Global
the United Nations, provided advice to
is extensively quoted. One of the Waste Management Outlook,3 numerous governments internationally on
most significant elements is that, together with a new government waste legislation and locally works strongly
in providing practical solutions to aid
in a world first, we legislated for that has waste prominently on its transition to the circular economy.
product stewardship rather than agenda, we can expect to see all
extended producer responsibility to our waste legislation applied more
reinforce full life-cycle responsibility, widely.
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MARCH 2018 \ WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 27CONTAMINANTS
OF EMERGING
CONCERN:
WHAT CAN
BE DONE?
care products and pesticides,
for example, exhibit endocrine-
disrupting behaviour. These include
E
triclosan and triclocarban, which
MERGING CONTAMINANTS are antibacterials used in personal
(ECs) is a term gaining care products such as soaps,
Concern is increased usage to describe detergents and toothpastes, as
growing about the a range of substances well as in household products such
environmental that can include both synthetic or as clothing, toys and paints. They
and human health naturally occurring chemicals as are persistent in the environment
impact of a range of well as micro-organisms.1 While and are a source of toxic and
some contaminants are new, many
contaminants found in carcinogenic compounds that can
have been around for some time, bioaccumulate in aquatic plants
personal, household, and it is only recently that we have and animals as well as acting as
pharmaceutical, started becoming concerned about endocrine disruptors.4
industrial, agricultural, their impact on the environment. As
horticultural and such, they are often referred to as Environmental
veterinary products. contaminants of emerging concern. 2
Protection
Waikato Regional ECs are found in household Authority role
and personal care products,
Council environmental In New Zealand, the Environmental
pharmaceuticals, veterinary
chemist Jonathan medicines, agrichemicals,
Protection Authority (EPA) is
Caldwell explores the pesticides, fire retardants and other
responsible under the Hazardous
issues and potential industrial products. Significant
Substances and New Organisms
Act for the regulation of hazardous
way forward for sources of ECs in New Zealand
substances, which need to be
managing these include discharges from wastewater
approved before they can be used
contaminants. treatment plants, landfill
in New Zealand. Around 28,500
leachate, storm water, agriculture,
hazardous chemicals have been
horticulture and antifouling paints.1
approved and are currently
An important subset of ECs is
registered in the New Zealand
referred to as endocrine-disrupting
Inventory of Chemicals.5
chemicals, which were the early
focus of research on ECs.3 Many
of the ECs found in personal
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